December 2017 Newsletter

What simple, yet profound gift can you give to yourself this month to celebrate the magic in the holiday season, as well as, in your life?

The MAGICAL GIFT of chanting, “OM”!

Why do we chant, “OM” in yoga?

Although, there are many answers, below are three;

1)The Odes of Solomon, the earliest known Christian hymns, written in Aramaic, says: “And all of them who were lacking perished, because they were not able to pronounce the Word so that they might exist” (24:9). It is the power of Word-of Logos-which makes us truly human and potentially sons of God. That sacred Word is Om.

2) The second answer is found in an ancient Indian text on the philosophy of yoga,

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjalitranslated by Sri Swami Satchidananda,

Yoga Sutra 27

In Sanskrit: TASYA VACAKAH PRANAVAH

In English: “The word expressive of Isvara is the mystic sound OM

(Note: OM is God’s name as well as form.)”

“God is, was and always will be –without beginning or end, infinite and omnipresent. For such a great One, there should be a name that conveys those same ideas. And not only that, but by repeating it the every name should manifest God in you. Thename “chair” can remind you of a chair, but you can’t sit on it. The word “sugar” can remind you of something sweet, but you can’t taste it. But God’s name should not only denote the fullness of God and itself represent Him, it should also bring Him to you. And such a name cannot be anything but OM”

3) Finally, the third answer is mine, “When I chant ‘OM”, I connect with my voice, I see the chaos in my head fade away, I hear my spirit echoing back to me and I feel ‘at home’ in my body.

How do you feel when you chant, “OM”?

Give yourself the gift of chanting, “OM” daily.

Try it while driving, while showering or while cooking. Chant it silently to yourself while shopping. The possibilities are endless.

THE NEXT TIME YOU’RE IN CLASS, PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW THE GIFT OF CHANTING, “OM” FEELS TO YOU.